Migraine Chronic Headaches

Acupuncture is an effective treatment for all types of headaches. This ancient technique shares the objectives of Western medicine: to relieve pain and help patients to function better. However, acupuncture accomplishes these goals without the use of drugs or harmful side effects.

Acupuncture is successful in treating a wide range of headaches, including migraines, tension-type headaches, cluster headaches, sinus-related headaches, and others. Headaches are the most common reason physicians refer their patients to an acupuncturist; the World Health Organization lists headaches among the many conditions for which it has found acupuncture to be effective. The National Institutes of Health also recommends acupuncture in the treatment of headaches. Chinese Medicine and Headaches Acupuncture works to balance the body's 'Qi' or 'life force.' As acupuncture becomes increasingly popular, more scientists in the Western world have sought to understand the mechanisms that make the practice so successful. The following is an abbreviated list of their discoveries:

Acupuncture helps with the release of endorphin compounds in the nervous system. Endorphins work as natural painkillers and help to relieve headache pain.

Many types of headaches are attributed to low levels of serotonin. Acupuncture has been found to regulate serotonin levels in both the brain and spinal cord.

Scientists have discovered that low levels of magnesium in the blood are related to migraine headaches. Acupuncture has been proven to increase blood magnesium levels.